As of the Spring semester of 2018, The Shafer Center is teaming up with University of Southern Mississippi to create, initiate and lead a Task Force to Combat Sexual Assault on Campus. Our goal is to be a point of contact to hear the concerns of the students, to truly understand and meet their individual needs to make campus a safe place they can call home as they pursue their educational careers at USM. Many colleges, clubs, and groups, hold events, educational events, they have similar questions about sexual assault/prevention, and this Task Force has been created to address all of these concerns.

    The USM community prides itself on being a student-centered community, in a welcoming environment which values a community of social responsibility; we are here to help. The Shafer Center began Green Dot training (Bystander Intervention training) before the state of Mississippi began Green Dot, roughly 5 years ago. This training can be done in either 4hr or 2-hour segments and has been given to college classes, clubs, groups, organizations, police trainings, faculty, staff, etc. The training focuses on bystander intervention and creates awareness of one’s actions. To schedule this training, or get more information about Green Dot Training, send us an email or click on the Our Services tab at the top of the page.